Help! Sheep and possible copper problem?

[jesej]

For the last 10 months or so, due to some health issues, my stepfather has been caring for my two sheep (a Jacob wether and a Jacob/Southdown wether, both 5 years old). Ive taken back over and just discovered that since spring he has been feeding them a general feed called Producers Pride 12% sweet feed and it is for horses, cattle and goats... and has loads of copper in it! (minimum 30ppm)

Both boys seem fine, but Ive read that the usual first sign of copper toxicity is death... Should I have the vet come even tho they seem ok? Ive changed their feed, of course, but I am still worried!!!

 

[Southern by choice]

I wouldn't worry too much. I have Jacobs. In general Jacobs sheep do not have a copper storage issue like most sheep do. Our Jacobs run with our goats and they are all on goat feed and minerals. A vet I know runs her large dairy goats with Jacobs and doesn't do anything special. Maybe because the Jacobs are so primitive, I don't really know.

You could have a mineral analysis done through your state lab, if they don't have a chemist it can go to PA. You will get a range but the only true way to tell is a biopsy. Not worth it IMO. Just go back to your old way of caring for your sheep, I am sure they will be fine.
Recently there have been studies about problems with sheep not getting any copper and now the studies are causing some to wonder about all this.

 

[BrownSheep]

If they've been eating it for that long don't sweat it.

 

[Four Winds Ranch]

As long as you have switched their feed over, and they are fine right now, they should be fine!

 

[jesej]

OK, thank you, everyone! Ill try to not worry so much They seem happy and well!